Good stuff from Breer this morning:
* Like a lot of teams, the Patriots certainly would entertain a trade down, but finding a partner won’t be easy. If they get stuck at No. 4, in that circumstance, my sense is they’ll invest in protecting their young quarterback and LSU’s Will Campbell will be the pick. There are questions on his long-term viability at tackle, but he’s the most pro-ready of the offensive linemen, and has a high floor, in that most believe he could be an All-Pro guard. One GM told me he thinks there are similarities in Campbell to Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater, who was projected by many to be a guard, but proved athletic and technically sound enough to stay at his college position. Another comped his college tape to Zack Martin’s—Martin played left tackle at Notre Dame and may be a Hall of Famer as an NFL guard. Either way, coach Mike Vrabel has spent a ton of time one-on-one with Campbell, and Campbell knocked his 30 visit in March out of the park. If it’s not Campbell? Georgia hybrid LB/edge Jalon Walker is another “program guy” who’d be a solid fit for the remade Patriots. And if there is no trade down, I think the Patriots will keep looking for ways to build up their war chest of draft picks, maybe even with a trade of a veteran like receiver Kayshon Boutte.
* I wouldn’t be surprised if more than a quarter of the first round is devoted to offensive linemen... So if a team wants a lineman who can help quickly, it’d be risky for them to wait until Friday.
* If some team takes a big swing with a trade up in the first round, I wouldn’t be stunned if it was for Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty. The New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers are all open to moving down, but to this point there haven’t been a ton of teams looking to move up (Denver has explored it)... the more serious calls between teams come this week.... Of course, the Jaguars could make the trade talk moot and take him with the fifth pick.
* Ohio State OT Josh Simmons tore his patellar tendon in October, and that’s a tough injury for a big man to return from. He went through the combine re-check in mid-April, and the impression teams have gotten is that it’ll be August before he’s fully cleared to play football.
* I’d be surprised if Banks makes it out of the top 11-or-so picks. He’s more of a prototype left tackle than Campbell or Membou and is solid character-wise. And while he had a couple rough outings against Georgia, there’s enough on tape to believe he’ll improve.
